Behind the Scenes: Artist Bios from Greater Palm Springs' 'Find Your Oasis' Music Video
What does it mean to find your own oasis? Is it basking in the sun, stargazing in awe, chilling poolside, hiking mountainsides, pulsing to local nightlife rhythms, or simply unwinding?
Finding your oasis means embracing what ignites joy and passion in your life.
The theme song for Greater Palm Springs, "Find Your Oasis," captures this essence perfectly. Produced in collaboration with Summerland Creative, this original music video unites local musicians, artists, and poets to share the region's story with heartfelt pride, freedom, and passion.
Featuring the talents below, the Visit Greater Palm Springs brand music video follows one traveler's journey through a seamless blend of music genres, highlighting our diverse people, cultures, and landscapes. Explore the biographies of the artists who brought the 2020 "Find Your Oasis" music video to life.
Click the links below for details on each artist.
- DJ Alf Alpha (Raphael Lopez)
- Angie and the Deserters
- The Flusters
- Assata Madison
- Mackenzie Graham (MACKandgold)
- Dante Mitchell
- Michelle Packman
- Jesika von Rabbit
- Matt Sorum
- Meagan Van Dyke
- Ryan Campbell
- Sofia Enriquez
- Chris Sanchez
- Production Team
1. DJ Alf Alpha (Raphael Lopez)
DJ, Music Producer
Palm Desert, CA
Alf Alpha (aka Raphael Lopez) is a Palm Desert-based DJ, music producer, and artist specializing in hip-hop and electronic dance music, including soulful hip-hop beats, house, funk, Latin, and electronic fusions. His unique hybrid style suits nightclubs, festivals, art shows, TV, film scores, and private events.
In 2009, he released his debut album Jump Wildly About with Japan's Yanase Production, earning international acclaim in Wax Poetic Japan Magazine. In 2010, he self-released the 42-track beat tape He Pleys So Good, celebrated globally.
Since debuting at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2011, Alf Alpha has performed annually, including a 2019 Main Stage set with original productions. He founded the monthly "World Famous Party" at ACE Hotel Palm Springs and has DJed at top venues nationwide and internationally in Mexico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Bolivia.
In 2013, he launched his live band project Alf Alpha y Los Pleyboyz at Tachevah Block Party. His music features in commercials, TV, films, fashion, and museums, including the 2018 film soundtrack Palm Swings.
As an educator, he developed DJ workshops for Palm Springs Unified School District since 2015. A philanthropist, he co-founded the Coachella Valley Art Scene nonprofit in 2008.
Alf Alpha collects and customizes vintage VW buses into mobile DJ booths: "Super Sonido" (1979), "Alf Alpha" (1971), and "Playboy" (1971), perfect for outdoor events.
2. Angie and the Deserters
Country/Americana Rock
Rancho Mirage/Los Angeles, CA
Born in Potsdam, NY, singer-songwriter Angie Bruyere drew inspiration from rural roots before modeling globally. Influenced by Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons, and Willie Nelson, her raspy, authentic Americana/outlaw country sound shines.
Her 2014 album West of the Night featured singles "Mason Jar" and "Goodbyes," earning Fender Artist of the Month honors. Upcoming EP Blood Like Wine, produced by Jeff Hutchins, includes "Country Radio," recorded at Nashville's Castle Recording Studios.
She has toured Europe and the US, performing at venues like The Troubadour, Pappy & Harriet's, Whiskey A-Go-Go, and The Roxy.
3. The Flusters
Rock/Pop
Palm Desert, CA
Palm Desert's The Flusters (Dougie VanSant, Danny White, Mario Estrada, Daniel Perry) blend retro/modern "Dreamsurf" guitar-pop. Coachella 2016 performers, they've played major festivals and won awards like Best Local Band (CV Independent) and Best Band (CV Weekly).
New single "We Were Young" evokes 80s nostalgia with New Wave influences from Tears for Fears and The Cure, following their 2019 debut album Dreamsurf.
4. Assata Madison
Global Professional Tap Dancer
Los Angeles, CA
Assata Madison inspires through tap dance. Trained with Paul and Arlene Kennedy, Lynn Dally, and at Jacob's Pillow, she teaches at LA venues and performs with Chloe Arnold's Syncopated Ladies and Dessy & Rickey's Parlor Social. A DC Tap Festival faculty member, she builds community via Wisdom From The Field.
5. Mackenzie Graham (MACKandgold)
Pop Artist
La Quinta, CA
Self-taught since age 15, MACK crafts soulful, bass-driven pop about heartbreak, fleeting pleasures, and artist life, blending guitar melodies with sultry vocals.
6. Dante Mitchell
Poet/Recording Artist/Traveling Spoken Word Performer
Los Angeles, CA
Inglewood native Dante Mitchell (Prince of the Ghetto) performs spoken word nationwide, promotes literacy at schools, and hosts events via his nonprofit The Cipher Complete.
7. Michelle Packman
Cellist/Traveling Musician/Composer
Long Beach, CA
Classically trained at CSU Long Beach, Michelle Packman excels in orchestral, pop, rock, and jazz. She performs with Electric Angels, Riot Games sessions, and artists like Coolio; current with Maisy Kay and MetronOhm.
8. Jesika von Rabbit
Pop Artist
Joshua Tree, CA
Former Gram Rabbit frontwoman, Jesika von Rabbit released Dessert Rock (2018) and Journey Mitchell (2015). Toured with Eagles of Death Metal; music licensed to TV/film. Known as "Queen of the Hi-Desert."
9. Matt Sorum
Drummer
Palm Springs, CA
Rock Hall inductee with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult. Current in Hollywood Vampires, Kings of Chaos, Deadland Ritual. Married in Palm Springs 2013.
10. Meagan Van Dyke
Vocalist
Palm Desert, CA
Coachella Valley native starred in musicals, hosted Disney 365, won 2019 Best Female Vocalist. Performs with Doug & Meg Music.
11. Ryan Campbell
Painter/Muralist
Cathedral City, CA
From graffiti roots, Ryan Campbell creates geometric abstractions inspired by LeWitt and Stella. Commissioned by Palm Springs Art Museum, AEG, Red Bull.
12. Sofia Enriquez
Artist/Fashion Designer/Muralist
Indio/Cathedral City, CA
Otis BFA grad Sofia Enriquez paints murals worldwide, including Coachella Festival, and creates installations and wearable art.
13. Chris Sanchez
Artist/Muralist/Sculptor
Coachella, CA
Kas Infinite (Chris Sanchez) crafts site-specific multimedia blending painting, sculpture, digital art, exploring heritage and desert environments.
14. Production Team
Jeff Miraglia, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Chief Creative Officer
Brian LaBelle (Summerland Creative)
Director/Producer
Award-winning director of films like Drift, Somewhere, The Art of Travel; commercials via Summerland Creative.
Tom MacDonald (Summerland Creative)
Producer/Editor/Music Designer
Michael Johnson
Music producer for MTV, Red Bull TV; signed to major labels; soundtracks in films/TV/games.
